Why does the long reed unit vary in length?

The long reed was a traditional measurement whose exact length differed depending on locality and historical period, causing variations in conversion.

What is the US survey chain used for?

The US survey chain is a traditional length unit used historically in U.S. land surveying, cadastral work, and describing property boundaries.

Can I use this tool for modern engineering measurements?

This tool is primarily intended for converting legacy land measurement units into standardized modern survey units; for direct engineering measurements, modern SI units are recommended.

How to Convert from Long Reed to Chain (US survey) [ch]

Easily convert length measurements from the historical long reed to the U.S. survey chain (ch) using our straightforward unit converter tool. Ideal for interpreting old land deeds and cadastral surveys.

Long reed

Chain (US survey) [ch]

Please check your input. It must be a valid numeric value.

Long reed to Chain (US survey) [ch] Conversion Table

Long reed	Chain (US survey) [ch]

Custom Unit Conversion Table Generator – Instant Printable Conversion Tables

Start Value

Enter the starting number (positive decimal or integer ≥ 0). Example: 0.1, 1, 5.

End Value

Enter the ending number (positive decimal or integer > Start Value). Example: 10, 50, 100.

Interval

Enter the step size (positive decimal > 0 and < End Value – Start Value). Example: 1.0, 2.5.

Long reed to Chain (US survey) [ch] Conversion Table
Long reed	Chain (US survey) [ch]

Explore More Length Units Converter

What Is This Tool?

This converter allows you to transform length values measured in the obsolete long reed into the US survey chain (ch), a unit traditionally used in U.S. land surveying. It is useful for adapting historical measurements into standardized modern units.

How to Use This Tool?

Enter the value in long reeds that you wish to convert
Select 'long reed' as the unit to convert from
Choose 'chain (US survey) [ch]' as the target unit
Click convert to see the equivalent value in chains

Key Features

Converts historical long reed units to US survey chains (ch) with ease
Browser-based tool requiring no installation or specialized knowledge
Facilitates interpretation of old land records and surveying data
Supports legacy land measurement integration into modern mapping

Examples

5 long reeds equal 0.7954529545 chains (US survey)
10 long reeds equal 1.590905909 chains (US survey)

Common Use Cases

Interpreting distances recorded in historical land deeds and parish records
Converting old surveying measurements to modern units for property restoration
Integrating legacy measurement data into GIS and cadastral mapping projects

Tips & Best Practices

Verify historical context due to variability of the long reed's length by location and era
Cross-reference old survey records to ensure accurate conversions
Understand that the US survey chain uses the US survey foot, which slightly differs from the international foot

Limitations

The long reed’s size varied historically, so conversion may not be precise without contextual data
The US survey foot basis of the chain differs slightly from the international foot, affecting accuracy
Legacy records may require additional interpretation due to unit inconsistencies

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the long reed unit vary in length?: The long reed was a traditional measurement whose exact length differed depending on locality and historical period, causing variations in conversion.
What is the US survey chain used for?: The US survey chain is a traditional length unit used historically in U.S. land surveying, cadastral work, and describing property boundaries.
Can I use this tool for modern engineering measurements?: This tool is primarily intended for converting legacy land measurement units into standardized modern survey units; for direct engineering measurements, modern SI units are recommended.

Key Terminology

Long Reed: A traditional unit of length formerly used in historical land measurement with a variable magnitude depending on locality and period.
Chain (US survey) [ch]: A historic U.S. unit of length equal to 66 US survey feet, used in land surveying and subdivided into 100 links.
US survey foot: A unit of length used as the basis for the US survey chain; slightly differs from the international foot.

Quick Knowledge Check

What does the long reed measure?

Weight in old trade systems

Length as a historical land unit

Volume in agricultural storage

How is the US survey chain subdivided?

100 links

66 feet

10 rods

Why is conversion from long reed to chain sometimes uncertain?

Because of rounding errors in the formula

Because the long reed’s length varied by historical context

Because the chain uses international feet

Share Us

Similar Calculators

Online Surface Current Density Units Converter Online Heat Flux Density Units Converter Online Heat Density Units Converter Online Weight and Mass Units Converter Online Flow Molar Units Converter